Power and Just Transitions: Struggles for a Post-Coal Future in an Appalachian Valley

by John Gaventa, Gabe Schwartzman

Published in 1982, John Gaventa’s award-winning Power and Powerlessness examined the dominance of the absentee coal industry in Central Appalachia. Gaventa and Gabe Schwartzman update the story through coal’s decline and into the present while focusing on how power relations and community mobilizing have changed and evolved during this era of transition. Their analysis tracks the impact on a place where a fossil fuel–based economy shaped political and social structures for over a century. As they show, new forms of power emerged while old ones remained, and both affected the popular struggle for a future that’s both just and more inclusive. Original and timely, Power and Just Transitions merges historical perspective with interviews and engagement to look at how coal’s decline impacted power and resistance in an Appalachian community.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Mappy BookGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read John Gaventa's previous book, Power and Powerlessness, while I was in college. So, when I saw this I knew I would have to read it. My interest in these books stems from my interest in industrial regions and how they impact life/culture spatially, and how life impacts the industry in return. There's a lot of history here in the northeastern region of the US, it's where I have lived my entire life and learning about its history has always been a favorite hobby, especially as an archaeologist. Although I have done a lot more analyses and reading that focused on the oil industry, it was refreshing to dive into coal with his first book and now this one that talks about the effects of life in a post-coal Appalachian valley. There were some very interesting points made with the existing data and information, looking at the decline of the coal industry, and how all these industries are overlapping and changing over time and the impacts that has on the people of this region. It was definitely interesting read, and if you love to learn about the history - these books are fantastic and making sure you walk away learning something new.